Category Archives: Uncategorized

I am proud to have been chosen as the Colorado State Senate Minority Whip for the Seventy-First General Assembly.
I look forward to representing all of you in the State Senate, and fighting for the Democratic principles and ideals that we all cherish.

What a fantastic turnout for my town hall with State Representative Pete Lee! We were able to discuss the bills we’re working on this session, as well as what is going on this year at the Capitol, and Chris Stiffler from the Colorado Fiscal Institute gave a great presentation on the budget, TABOR, and the Hospital Provider Fee.

Once again, we are faced with an outrageous act of violence meant to terrorize the innocent. This was not only an attack on Planned Parenthood, nor on the City of Colorado Springs, but was an attack on all of us, on our freedoms, our shared humanity, and on the values we cherish as Americans. And those values cannot be tarnished by any act of terrorism or by the hateful motives of the person who perpetrated this horrendous crime today.

While it is not yet clear if this was a purposeful attack on Planned Parenthood, this much we do know- domestic terrorism can not and will not be tolerated or endured. I stand firmly with the staff and clients of Planned Parenthood, and will always champion women’s healthcare rights.

My heart is broken for the families and loved ones of the victims of today’s horrific act of violence. Over the past several weeks, Colorado Springs has suffered through two mass shootings. And as they have before, the people of this community will again come together to support one another in the wake of this tragedy.

We should all be grateful for the bravery and sacrifice of local law enforcement officers and first responders and the Planned Parenthood staff who showed tremendous courage over the course of this incident.

This is a heartbreaking and mindless act of violence, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims

CO SPRINGS — Senator Michael Merrifield and Representative Pete Lee will host a town hall in Colorado Springs this weekend to provide an update on what actions the legislature took during the 2015 session, and to share ideas on how they can best represent their areas in the 2016 session:

Senator Merrifield hosts regular town halls as a way to update constituents on the work of the legislature, as well as hear their thoughts about how to move Colorado forward. All town halls are nonpartisan, open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, and engage in a robust dialogue with their elected officials.

ABOUT SEN. MERRIFIELD: Senator Merrifield is a retired teacher, former state representative, entrepreneur, and bicyclist. He serves on the Senate Education Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Merrifield began his first term in the Colorado State Senate in 2015.

DENVER — Protests over standardized testing in K-12 education have led to calls for change in the system, but some of the proposals to date have been too extreme for the mainstream. This evening, the Senate approved a balanced, bipartisan, and comprehensive fix through the Educational Standards and Assessments and Flexibility Pilot Program (SB 15-257).

The bill, as approved today, is the product of the original version, a number of substantial amendments, and a lengthy hearing in the Senate Education Committee. The bill that reduces the quantity of testing, enhances fairness for all involved, and increases involvement in the process, includes:

English Language Arts and Mathematics state testing being administered yearly from grades 3-8, and only once in grades 10-12 with the local education provider (LEP) selecting the single high school year of testing.

Science statewide testing only occurring once in elementary school and once in middle school, with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) selecting the year. There would be one test in high school, with the local education provider selecting the year that test is administered.

Reducing some required early education literacy testing. If a student is reading at grade level at the start of a school year, the student is not required to take additional tests, as current policy dictates.

Allowing local education providers to design and implement alternative accountability and testing systems, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education, and in compliance with federal law or a waiver.

Moving the deadline forward for the State Board of Education to review and revise the state’s academic standards, from 2018 to 2016.

Allowing computerized tests to be completed using pencil and paper. Also, the bill allows the state to administer tests in languages other than English, if the student has not participated in an English language proficiency program for more than three years.

Parents having access to the testing schedule – including the specific hours of the day that testing will take place – and whether each test is required under federal or state law.

“Testing is important, and we need it to understand the effectiveness of our schools, but we are over-testing our kids and not focusing on learning,” said Sen. Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of SB 15-257. “This bill reduces the overwhelming amount of time we spend on testing, which is what teachers, students, and parents of all stripes are telling us they want. We heard their concern, and I am pleased that we came to strong bipartisan agreement in passing this piece of legislation.”

The bill passed the Senate this evening on a second reading voice vote, and could go to a third and final reading as soon as this week. If it passes third reading, it would go to the House of Representatives for its first committee hearing.

DENVER — The Colorado State Senate has scheduled the following noteworthy legislation to be heard this week. The list is not exhaustive but includes legislation that typically garners public input and media attention. The dates and times may change throughout the week, so please verify before covering.

HB 15-1173: “I-70 MOUNTAIN CORRIDOR”

Sponsor: Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora

Senate third reading hearing: Monday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill addresses the traffic problem on I-70. It specifies that drivers must have mountain snow tires; chains; or four-wheel or all-wheel drive when using I-70 from Dotsero to Morrison between November 1 to May 15. The bill was amended during second reading to include any highway that has a mountain pass that connects with I-70.

Senate second reading hearing: Monday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill provides in-state tuition for Colorado veterans, spouses of veterans, and children of veterans at public colleges and universities in Colorado. Specifically, the legislation aligns Colorado with the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, requiring all public education institutions to provide in-state tuition to veterans and dependents of veterans in Colorado. The move secures federal financial aid for Colorado public colleges and universities through the GI Bill.

HB 15-1242: “RIGHT OF A PATIENT TO DESIGNATE A CAREGIVER”

Sponsor: Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver

Senate second reading hearing: Monday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill allows medical patients to designate a caregiver when admitted and discharged from a Colorado hospital. The hospital must talk to the patient about what limitations the caregiver has and inform the caregiver of the aftercare plan.

SB 15-205: “VETERANS’ FIRE CORPS”

Sponsors: Sen. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo; Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill promotes the Veterans’ Fire Corps in the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. It trains post-9/11 veterans in natural resource management and wildland fire control.

SB 15-252: “RENEWABLE ENERGY AT SCHOOLS”

Sponsor: Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill allows schools to use resources from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Schools loan program to conduct an energy audit at the school. The audit will examine the possible savings a school can expect from using wind, solar, or other renewable energy.

SB 15-014: “MEDICAL MARIJUANA”

Sponsor: Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill requires the Colorado Medical Board to adopt guideline for when physicians prescribe medical marijuana to patients with severe pain. It also requires the Dept. of Public Health and Environment to adopt guidelines for primary caregivers who administer medical marijuana — among other changes to medical marijuana rules.

SB 15-012: “ENSURING CHILD SUPPORT GOES TO THE CHILD”

Sponsor: Sen. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

This bill allows Colorado Works participants to receive child support without lowering their public assistance grants. The current practice diverts the child support of Colorado Works participants and their children back to the government.

SB 15-020: “ERIN’S LAW”

Sponsor: Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

This bill allows schools to provide information and training about the awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse and assault. The problem of abuse is widespread, as 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. Twenty-one states have already introduced “Erin’s Law” to address this problem.

SB 15-185: “COMMUNITY TRUST AND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY”

Sponsor: Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill addresses community discussions about possible discriminatory profiling in the justice system. It is known as the Community Law Enforcement Action Reporting (CLEAR) Act, and it calls for the State Judicial Department and the State Board of Parole to collect data and prepare reports on aspects of community policing.

SB 15-011: “HOPE FOR COLORADANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES”

Sponsor: Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora

Senate second reading hearing: Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber

The bill continues a pilot program providing alternative medicine to people with spinal cord injuries and end a backlog of people waiting for services. Under the bill, the program could run through September 2020, and it will serve 100 people, up from 67.

The bill would help active-duty military personnel deployed overseas and other overseas citizens vote in local municipal elections. It would put municipal election code in line with federal, state, and county election code.

The bill allows all Colorado colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition to dependents of active duty military personnel. The dependent must have done at least six years of secondary school in Colorado, and enroll in college within five years of graduating from high school.

The bill defines the state’s role in a financing plan for the National Western Center development.

SB 15-039: “HIGH, HIGH MOUNTAINS AT LOW, LOW PRICES”

Sponsor: Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs

Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee: Tuesday, April 14 upon adjournment of the Senate in Senate Committee Room 353

The bill tries to give the state “concurrent jurisdiction” over federal public lands but the state does not have the ability to manage the lands. The move could restrict access to areas like Maroon Bells, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Indian Peaks, Flat Tops, and San Juan Mountains.

The bill allows the Colorado Existing Industry Training Program to provide resources for mobile learning labs. Mobile learning labs travel around and provide skills training and career development for Colorado workers at existing Colorado businesses.

The bill continues the Instream Flow Incentive Tax Credit. The credit is available to Coloradoans who permanently transfers a water right to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The Colorado Water Conservation Board uses the water right to create an instream flow that preserves the environment.

SB 15-003: “EDUCATION EVALUATIONS CRITERIA”

Sponsor: Sen. Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs

Senate Education Committee: Wednesday, April 15 upon adjournment of the Senate in Senate Committee Room 356

The bill removes the requirement that 50 percent of an educator and principal’s performance evaluation be tied to student academic growth.

The bill, known as the 2015 Birth Certificate Modernization Act, allows the state to change the birth certificate of a person, who was born in Colorado, if the person has a different gender than the gender noted on the birth certificate. The change requires consent from the person or the person’s parents, if the person is a minor — as well as a statement from a licensed medical professional.

The bill empowers local governments to raise the minimum wage within the area it governs. Currently, the statewide minimum wage is $8.23 an hour — or $17,118 a year for an employee who works 40 hours a week and never takes time off. That is nearly $3,000 below the federal poverty line for a family of three.

The bill allows entities – including recreation camps, colleges, day care centers, youth sports leagues, amusement parks, restaurants, businesses, and sports arenas — to acquire and use epinephrine auto injectors. The epinephrine auto injectors could be used to help people suffering from anaphylaxis because of an allergen.